Dual ignition system



June 23, 1925. 1,543, 5.21

W. M. RISTAU, JR

DUAL IGNITION SYSTEM Filed 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. W. M. Risiauflr,

A TTORNE Y.

June 23, 1925.

W. M. RISTAU. JR

DUAL IGNITION SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1924 INVENTOR. W NF. Qismupn, M 1

' ATTORNEY.

Patented June 23, 1925.-

UNITED STATES I. BI STAU, m, 0! FREEBICKSBURG, TEXAS.

DUAL IGNITION SYSTEIL Application filed August '5, 1924. Serial ll'o. 780,288.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, Wrnnnmr M. RISTAU.

J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Fredericksburg, in the county of Gillespie and State of Texa 1, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dual Ignition Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a-dual ignition system, designed primarily for use in connection with internal combustion motors of motor vehicles, and aeroplanes, but it is to be understood that an ignition system in accordance with this invention can be em ployed for any purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner 'as hereinafter set forth, a system of the class referred to, with a pair of normally open magneto circuits each including a magneto operated from a common driving means,

and with each magneto independently controlled to provide for the operation of one while the other is dormant, under such conditions if one of the magneto circuits becomes impaired the other circuit can immediately be closed to provide for the operation' of the motor, thereby overcoming the necessity of stoppa e for repairs.

Further objects of t e invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,'a dual ignition system for the purpose referred to and which is simple in its construction and a ement, compact, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily installed with respect to the motor, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,'the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter-more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like refer- I ence characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is an elevation of an internal combustion motor showing the adaptation therewith of a dual ignition system, inaccordance with thisinvention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa fragmentary view in longitudinal section of the system.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Fig- Figure 5 is a section on' line 5 5, Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmenta view, in section, illustrating, that clutc limember provided with the clutching protuberance.

Figure 7 is an end view of a hub of an operating gear for a magneto.

Figure 8 is a perspective vlew ofthe op-.

crating shaft of the s stem;

Each of the normal y open magneto circuits includes a switch, a spark plug for each cylinder of the motor, a magneto, a spark controlling device, an operating means for the magneto, circuit wires leading from the magneto to the plugs, and circuit connections leading from the magneto to the switch. A common driving means is employed for the operating means for the magnetos, and a common controlling element for the s ark controlling devices. The common 'ving means is active at one time upon but one of the magneto operating means.

The magnetos are independently operated,

or in other words, when one is operated, the other is dormant.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 denotes a motor, as illustrated by way of example, of the four cylinder type. The reference character 2 indicates the crank shaft which is extended from the crank case 3 and has fixed to its extended end a gear 4. The extended end of the shaft 2 carries a pulle 5 for driving an endless transmission be t 6 for the urpose of operating a fan 7, carried by a an shaft 8. The reference character 9 denotes the cam shaft of the motor and which is provided with a gear 10, meshing with and drivenfrom the gear 4.

Supported from the bod portion of the motor 1, is a housing 11, c osed at one end as indicated at 12, and said closed end provides a bearing 13 for a shaft 14, which is common to the operating means for the magnetos. The shaft 14 extends from the other end of the housing 11 and is mounted in a bearing 15, between the hearing 15 and the housing 11, the shaft 14' is prov ded with a gear 16 which meshes w1th and is driven from the gear 10. v

One of the normally open magneto encuits consists of a magneto 17 supported by spark 'plugs 19, 20, 21 and 22, depending upon the number of cylinders of themotor,

ci'rcuit wire connections 23, 24, 25 and 26 leading respectively from the plugs 19, 20, 21 and 22 to the magneto 17, a switch 53,-and circuit wire connections54 leading from the switch 53 to the magneto 17'. The shaft of the magneto 17 is indicated at 29 and extends into the housing 11. The shaft 29 carries a pinion 30 driven from a gear. 31, which is loosely mountedlon the shaft 14 and is adapted to be coupled'therewith for the purpose of operating the magneto 17. The gear 31 has one side of its hub extended, as at 32, and which is formed with a pin 33 travelling in a peripheral groove .34 formed in the shaft 14, and by such arrangement, although the gear 31 is loosely mounted on the shaft 14, it is prevented from shifting lon 'tudinally with respect to the shaft. The ub of the gear 31, at the other side thereof, is. extended, as at 35, and the said extended portion 35 is formed-with a socket 36, for the reception of a clutching protuberance 37, carried bv a clutch member 38, which is keyed, as at 39, to the shaft 14, whereby the member 38 can shift lengthwise of the shaft 14, but will be carried therewith during the operation of the shaft 14. The member 38 is peripherally grooved,

as at 40, and mountedtherein is the yoke shaped inner end 41 of a shifting arm 42,

and by this arrangement when the arm 42 is moved in a direction towards the gear 31 the clutching protuberance 37 engaging in the socket 36 will clutch the gear 31 to the shaft 14, thereby providing for the driving ofthe gear 31 and the operation of the magneto 17, and if the switch 53 is closed it will close the magneto circuit.

The other normally open magneto circuit consists of a magneto 43, supported by the housing 11, a sparkcontrol device 44, spark plugs 45,46, 47 and' 48, depending upon the number of cylinders of the motor, circuit wire connections 49, 50, 51 and 52, leading respectively from the plugs 45, 46, 47 and 48 to the magneto 43, a switch 27, and circuit wire connections 28 leading from the switch 27 to the magneto 43. The shaft of the magneto 43 is indicated at 55 and extends into the housing 11. carries a pinion 56, driven from a gear 57, which is loosely mounted on the shaft 14 and is adapted to be clutched therewith for the purpose of operating the magneto 43.

The gear 57 has one side of its hub extended,

as at 58, and which is formed with a pin 59 travelling in a peripheral groove 60, formed in the shaft 14 and by such arrangement, although -the gear 57 is loosely mounted on the shaft 14, it is prevented from shifting longitudinally with respect to the shaft. The hub of the'gear 57, at the The shaft 55.

other side thereof, is extended as at 61, and the said extended portion 61 is fofmed with a socket 62, for the rece tion of a clutching protuberance 63 carried y a clutching member 64, which is keyed toLthe shaft 14, whereby the member 64 can shift lengthwise of the shaft 14, but will be carried therewith during theoperation of the shaft 14. The member 64 is peripherally grooved, as at 65, and mounted therein is the y0ke-shaped inner end 66 of a shifting arm 67, and by this arrangement when the arm 67 is moved the lever 68 is shifted in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 3, it will provide for the clutching of'the gear 31 to the shaft 14, and the unclutching of the gear 57 from ;said shaft. If the lever 68 is shifted in the direction of the arrow B, Figure 3, it will provide for the clutching of the gear 57 to the shaft 14. The shifting of the 'lever 68 in the direction of the arrow A must be to such extent-as to provide forthe engagv magneto circuits becomes impaired the other circuit can be immediately closed, thereby providing for the operation of the motor and to overcome stoppage for repairs.

The housing 11 is provided with a body.

of lubricant so that will run in oil.

A controlling element, indicated at 69, is common to the spark controlling devices.

It is thought that the many advantages of a dual ignition system in accordance with this invention can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the system is as illustrated and described, yet changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I What I claim'is 1. In a dual ignition system means to provide a. pair of'magneto circuits each including a controlling switch, a set of spark plugs and a magneto, a driving element, means the elements thereof en magneto 17 is'in opera--' mounted on said element for driving the magnetos of said circuits, and means whereby one of the magnetos is driven independently of the other. I

' 2. In a dual ignition system means to provide a pair of magneto circuits each includ 1n anl a magneto, a driving element, means mounted on said element for driving the magnetos of said circuits, means whereby one of the magnetos is driven independently of the other, each'of said circuits further including a spark control device, and a controlling element common to said devices.

3. In a dual ignition system means to provide a pair of normally open magneto circuits each including a set of spark plugs, a controlling switch and a magneto, eachof said magnetos having its shaft provided with a pinion, a common driving shaft, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said driving shaft and pinions, and means for clutching one of said gears tosaid driving shaft independently of the other of said gears to provide for the operation of one of said magnetos independently of the other.

4. In a dual ignition system means to a controlling switch, a set of spark plugs each meshing with one of said ture hereto.

provide a pair of normally open ma neto circuits each including a set of spark p ugs, a controlling switch and a magneto, each of said magnetos having its shaft provided with a pinion, a common driving shaft, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said driving shaft and each meshin with one of said pinions, and means for a ternatel ing said gears to said driving sha t to pro vide for the operation of one of said mag netos independently of the other.

5. In a dual ignition system means to provide a pair of normally open magneto circuits each including a set of spark plugs, a controlling switch andia magneto, each 0 said magnetos having its shaft provided with a pinion, a common driving shaft, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said driving shaft and each meshing with one of said pinions, means for alternately clutching said gears to said driving shaft to provide for the operation of one of said magnetos independently of the other, each of said circuits further including a spark control device, and a controlling element common to said devices.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signa- WILHELM RISTAU, 'Jil.

.85 clutch- 

